11/12/11

Well, fall is definitely here in Wisconsin, whether we like it or not. It was pretty darn chilly in our apartment this morning, and immediately upon waking, I wanted to eat something delicious that would warm me up.

Looking through the cupboards, the only thing I could find
that fit the bill was oatmeal. Unfortunately whenever I try to make oatmeal, it never fails to turn out as a sticky heap of bland mush that I have to choke
down. It's just one of those foods that I have never been able to get right, no matter how hard I try. But it's worth it to keep experimenting, because not only are oats one of the cheapest breakfast foods on the market, but they boast so many amazing health benefits:

Can reduce levels of bad cholesterol

Are rich in fiber to fill you up quickly and regulate your blood sugar throughout the day

Contain antioxidants which help prevent chronic disease such as heart disease and cancer

Determined that I was going to find a way to make oatmeal delicious, I
searched the internet and stumbled upon this gem of a recipe for
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal. It was the best oatmeal I've ever tasted, warm and gooey without being mushy, with a crunch topping of sugared walnuts and melted butter. Even my husband who wrinkles his nose at oatmeal willingly ate it after he saw how it turned out.

Try it the next time you have a few extra minutes available on a cold fall or winter morning -- you won't be disappointed!

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

1 cup old fashioned oats

2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tbsp melted butter

3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree

3/4 cup water or milk

For the topping:

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 tbsp melted butter

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease 4 individual ramekins.

2. In a medium sized bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, and spices.

3. Melt butter in small bowl in microwave. Add vanilla, pumpkin puree, and water or milk. Whisk until combined.

4. Pour pumpkin mixutre into the bowl of oats. Stir until evenly combined

5. Add oats evenly to ramekins

6. Place ramekins on baking sheet and put into oven

7. Bake for 10 minutes.

8. Add toppings to each ramekin and continue to bake for an additional 7 minutes

What I believe...

-Being healthy shouldn't be difficult and it shouldn't be expensive-A healthy home cooked dinner always trumps fast food-Paying extra for organic is worth it-Dessert and wine are a part of a healthy diet-If you've never run in the rain, you've never run-Nights in are better than nights out-Everyone is an athlete, most of us just haven't realized it yet-Laughter and exercise are the best medicines